Improvement in scale-pans



A. A. HOUGHTON, Scale-Pan.

No. 218,817. 8 Patented Aug. 26, 1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED A. HOUGHTON, ()F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SCALE-PANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 218,817, dated August .26, 1879; application filed April 29, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED A. HoUGHToN. of Bufi'alo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have made certain Improvements in the Bows of lVeighing-Scales, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the construction of the bows and jaws for their ready putting together and taking apart; also, for keeping the slab clean and easily removable for that purpose; also, to allow the folding up of all the parts, so as to pack them into a narrow space for shipment, &c.; and the invention consists in hinging the jaws of the bows un derneath the slab instead of rigidly fastening them; also, in thejointing or uniting the tops of the spring-bows, holding them by the screwhook, and by which the whole is suspended.

The tension of the spring-bows forces the jaws against the slab, holding itin place; and by merely disuniting the bows at the top, or taking out the screw-hook, the bows spring apart, leaving the slab free to be taken out, all as hereinafter fully explained.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section; Fig. 2, a plan with the parts separated and folded flat for packing.

A A represent the jaws of the bows c a, which are notched at I) Z) to receive the slab C, a disk which is either of marble or metal, &c., as may be desired.

Underneath the slab runs a metal strap, links, or rod, 0, which is hooked or hinged onto a cross-piece,f, forming part of the two jaws A A, which curve under the slab, as shown in Fig. 3. This unites the jaws and makes a bottom to the frame-work, which keeps the slab in place. At the top the bows are provided with ends (I d, that overlap or joint or dovetail together, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. Through these pass the hook D, by which the whole is suspended to or from the beam. (Not shown.) These joints (1 (1 may also be made in one piece, and the bows a a sprung into them. In that case the hook would be permanently set into the cross-piece d. This hook D is either screwed into the ends d d or sets through them, and has a nut or head, 0, 011 the under side to contine the whole. By merely unscrewing the nut c the bows are separated and at once spring apart, loosening the slab C, so that it can be taken out to be thoroughly cleansed of blood or other foreign matter that is apt to get around the edges, under the slab, or between the joints, and interfering with correct weighing, and also discoloring or corroding the slab.

In my construction all the parts are removable, so that they can be laid on the slab, as shown in Fig.2, to put in a small space or pack for shipment.

The same kind of jaws are already in use, but have one or two strips of iron soldered, screwed, or otherwise rigidly secured to them on the under side of the slab, which interferes with the taking out of the slab.

My hinged rod 0 allows the bows to fold over either way, which is a great improvement, and allows of a spring to the bows and a corresponding tension to the jaws, that effectually holds in the slab without any other appliances, neither screws nor solder being used in any part of this device.

To put in the suspendinghook D the bows have to be pressed together with some little force, and when the hook is removed the bows spring apart, as before stated.

I claim In combination with the slab O and bows to a, the jaws A A, connected under the slab by a strap, links, or rod, 0, which is hooked or hinged at the ends to the jaws to allow the same to be folded, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

A. A. HOUGHTON.

Vitnesses J. R. DRAKE, T. H. PARSONS. 

